Maunsell mercier



(No Model.)

a M MEROIER ELECTRIC SIGNAL INDICATOR.

U T m I JAM;

THE uonals PETERS co. momufua. WASNINOTON. o. c.

. my said indicator.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

MAUNSELL MERCIER, OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,575, dated December 14, 1897.

Application filed March 3,1897.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAUNsELL MEROIER, of Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Electrical Signal-Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object the improvement of apparatus for electric signaling by which the number of signals transmitted can be seen as well as heard. Numerous accidents have occurred in coal-mines and other places through the engineman miscounting the number of audible signals given. My invention is so arranged that where the electric current is used as a means of transmitting signals from one place to another I use an indicator actuated by the electric current, the said indicator clearly showing the number of signals sent. Where an electric bell or sounder of any sort is used, my indicator can be used in conjunction with the same, or my indicator may be used by itself, if so desired. The electric current used to actuate the said bell or sounder so as to give audible evidence of the signals sent is also caused to actuate The current may be used to work my indicator in series or in parallel with the bell, or it may be worked by a relay and local battery.

In order that my invention may be better understood and the more readily carried into effect, I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings, wherein-- Figure 1 is a partially sectional side eleva-.

' to the framing and to which is secured the lower end of a lever C. The lever C has hinged to it an arm 0, formed as a pawl, (hereinafter called the operating pawl,)

I which engages with a ratchet-wheel D, fixed on the spindle E, on which is also fastened either the indicator-disk F or finger F. On the face of the disk are fastened, painted, or in some other way attached consecutive numbers 1, 2, 3, 4:, and so on. When Serial No. 625,829. (No model.)

the finger F is fixed on the spindle, the disk F is fastened to the framing, so that each movement of the spindle by the action of the pawl causes the finger to move over the face of the dial a distance equal to the space from one number to the next, so that its point is opposite the figure indicating the number of the signal. I may fasten the disk F to the spindle and fix the finger to the framing, in which case the numbers are arranged on the face of the disk successively in the opposite direction to that used when the disk is fastened to the frame. The disk F is then caused to rotate with the spindle a distance equal to the space between the figures. I may dispense entirely with the finger'F and use instead a plate covering the disk, with an and disk or finger, through a distance proportionate to the number of the teeth in the ratchet-wheel, the various levers being proportioned to insure this result. Thus if there are twenty teeth in the wheel the first signal moves the disk or finger one-twentieth of the circle and indicates 1. Onbreaking circuit the armature is released and is pulled back by the spring G, attached to the lever O and a stud G. On the next completion of the circuit the armature B is again attracted by the magnet and pulls the disk around another segment of the circle and indicates 2, and so on until the desired number of signals have been given.

A certain interval is allowed after the sig nals are completed during which the disk or finger is stationary, permitting the signal to be observed. After the expiration of the said period it is automatically returned to the zero position. This is efiected in the following manner: The spindle has attached to and cord I may use a coiled spring or equivalent device to return the finger. A detent-pawl J engages with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, being drawn toward it by the spring G and prevents its return until the detent-pawl is released. The said detent-pawl is pivoted at its lower end and is secured to an arm J, the free end of which is forked and passes under ahead formed on a piston-rod N. The armature B is fixed to a lever K, the outer end of which is forked, passing under a pin in the rod N, fastened to the lower end of which is a piston P, working in the dash-pot L. The latter can be of any ordinary construction and is suitably arranged to retard the movement of the piston when released. The effect is that at the expiration of any suitable interval the fall of the piston in the dash-pot automatically releases the detent-pawl and allows the force exerted by the weight or spring to return the disk or finger to the zero position, a suitably-placed stop being provided to prevent too great a return movement of said disk or finger. The dash-pot does not in any way prevent the armature-lever from being immediately released and so engaging another tooth to give a further forward movement to the disk or spindle, if desired, but is arranged so that on the completion of the desired number of signals the disk or finger shall remainin position for a definite fixed period before returning to the zero position. I also arrange that the detent-pawl J may be instantaneously released either after or before all the signals are transmitted and the disk or finger set back to the zero position by the action of a supplementary electromagnet M, worked by suitable means, such as pressing a button or key,which may be done manually or by the movement of the machinery or otherwise, as may be arranged. The magnet M, when a current is passed through it, attracts an armature O, which has attached to it an arm S, pressing against the spindle of the valve T at the bottom of the dash-pot L. lVhen the armature O is raised, the valve T is opened and the piston P descends, thus releasing the detent-pawl J and permitting the weight or spring to return the disk or finger to zero.

As will be observed in the drawings, the armature O is pivoted at its middle point, and there are two magnet-coils M M. Vith this arrangement the armature 0 may consist of a permanent steel magnet having its ends of opposite polarity, while the ends of the magnets M M are of like polarity, or the armature may be of soft iron and the magnets M connected in different circuits, so as to be used alternately. In the former case the armature will be tilted in either direction, according to the direction of the current in the magnetcoils, the said magnets M being of course included in a circuit independent of that in which the magnets A A are included. In the latter case an independent circuit for each of the coils M M would be necessary. I do not confine myself, however, to this particular arrangement of magnet-coils, since there are many other arrangements which might be employed.

Having now particularly described and ascertain ed the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. In a device of the character specified, the combination of an indicating member, an electromagnet having an armature adapted to actuate said member, means controlled by a dash-pot for automatically returning said indicating member to its initial position after a predetermined period of time, and a secondary electromagnet adapted to operate upon said dash-pot to cause an immediate return of the indicating member.

2. In a device of the character specified, the combination of a rotary indicator mounted on an arbor or spindle and having a ratchetwheel on said arbor, the said indicator being normally actuated in a backward direction, an electromagnet having an armature, a pawl connected with said armature and adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel to actuate the indicator in a forward direction, a dash-pot and a close-fitting piston therein,an arm connected with the aforesaid armature and adapted to raise the piston, a detent adapted to engage the ratchet-wheel and engaged by the piston, and a secondary electromagnet having an armature adapted to engage a valve in the dashpot, all for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 1st day of February, A. D. 1897.

MAUNSELL MERCIER.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH NASMITH, RoBT. J. BROADBENT. 

